PAH

Definition of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), any of several multi-ringed aromatic compounds that are found in e.g. soot, coal, tar, cigarette smoke and barbecue meat. Examples include pyrene and benzo(a)-pyrene. Some of these compounds are known carcinogens. This is the common definition for Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

PAHs have been become increasingly important in research because they are potentially mutagenic or carcinogenic in aquatic organisms and man. They tend to be adsorbed and accumulated by marine organisms. Elevated levels of PAHs are commonly found in coastal and estuarine marine waters near heavily polluted areas. Not all PAHs are known to be carcinogenic, but the environmental effect of most of them remains uncertain, and little is known about how they behave in marine ecosystems.

They tend to adsorb to particles, as these particles sink to the bottom, the sea floor becomes enriched in PAH content. As PAHs are quite stable in the sediments, bottom dwelling organisms can be exposed by large amounts of PAHs for long periods of time.

Concentrations of PAHs in aquatic organisms range from 0,01 to 5000 µg/kg dry weight.

Fluoranthene and pyrene = Major PAH followed by phenanthene and anthracene acenaphtene fluorene benzanthrene and chrysene in few samples

Food primary source of PAH's, and PAH levels are diet dependent.

PAHs are released by the combustion of wood, coal and oil and transported into the admosphere. Some PAHs are considered carcinogenic in fish, others might not be.